Nice example 98 LS400

ambermarine · May 3, 2017

There is a very nice example of a 98 Mark IV on Gumtree 65K miles in my favourite colour

Bluesman · May 3, 2017

It looks a decent car but was surprised to see that it failed an MOT with only 41K on the clock the following needed replacing.

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

steve2006 · May 3, 2017

Not at all surprised Mike, with the condition of the roads in this country you can't avoid constant suspension damage.

Mine both failed at around 60,000 miles with 38,000 of these being spent in Japan before I got the car.

Any one care to put up the link?

steve2006 · May 3, 2017

Link

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lexus/lexus-ls400-yes-only-65-000-bullet-proof/1231731628

messi · May 3, 2017

That's been for sale a very long time. It's been on Auto trader since December or January.

mikeyv · May 3, 2017

Four grand, and they can't even be arsed to give the wheels a lick of paint.

gkkes · May 4, 2017

Just bought a W reg Mk IV, 74,500 miles for £1950. I think this one is a little over.

Malc · May 4, 2017

and it looks as if the aerial might be stuck up !

Malc

ambermarine · May 4, 2017

I Paid £3750 for my Mark 4 back in 2012 and to be fair I did get a bargain it as still only done 35k and is in better nick than the Gumtree example but that was five years ago .

The issue is ,if you want a low mileage example in decent condition this one will be amongst them and getting scarcer because those who own low mileage examples are keeping them.

If the wheels need a fefurb or the ariel needs attention so what ,they are minor items on the path of owning one of these rarities, well worth a look at.

steveledzep · May 4, 2017

1 hour ago, Malc said:

and it looks as if the aerial might be stuck up !

Malc

Nothing worse than a stuck up aerial....it needs to come down to earth a bit....can't stand snobbishness....especially from an aerial

mikeyv · May 4, 2017

2 minutes ago, ambermarine said:

I Paid £3750 for my Mark 4 back in 2012 and to be fair I did get a bargain it as still only done 35k and is in better nick than the Gumtree example but that was five years ago .

The issue is ,if you want a low mileage example in decent condition this one will be amongst them and getting scarcer because those who own low mileage examples are keeping them.

If the wheels need a fefurb or the ariel needs attention so what ,they are minor items on the path of owning one of these rarities, well worth a look at.

The problem is, if they can't be bothered to do a cheap and easy job on something that is plain to see, then what price any of the unseen mucky bits being seen to?

I'd have less of a problem if it was up at part ex clearance money, but they are asking top whack.

cruisermark · May 4, 2017

Its priced high!.................However it is a better deal than the white Mark 1 on AT which is also commanding 4K!

def_fid · May 5, 2017

I just bought it. Very clean, everything works, wheels being refurbed. Very happy chappy!

def_fid · May 5, 2017

Oh, and the aerial isn't stuck!

Gorodish · May 5, 2017

Well done! We'll have to compare low mileage (well 78k in my case) notes. Enjoy...

The-Acre · May 6, 2017

7 hours ago, def_fid said:

I just bought it. Very clean, everything works, wheels being refurbed. Very happy chappy!

Lots of photos in due course please! And well done.

def_fid · May 6, 2017

Thanks for the good wishes. I had a LS 430 a few years ago, best car I ever owned, but I didn't dare keep it after the warranty expired. During the warranty period I had a new steering column, both front suspension complete assemblys, new reversing camera and several other suspension problems, all fixed with great service from Lexus Cheltenham. I swapped it in for a Toyota Verso, brand new, top of the range. What a mistake. I could have had a Ls 600h with 77000 miles for slightly less money. The Verso was a "White goods" car. It did nothing badly, and nothing particularly well. It was as boring as hell to drive. My main car now is a Dacia Duster 4x4, which surprisingly is much better in every way than the Verso. But the Dacia isn't a Lexus. And I miss the silence and ride quality, so getting a really good weekend car was important. I looked at a few "low mileage" ls400's. All had a few signs of shall we say, adjusted odometers, or neglected problems. They were all relatively inexpensive, but I wasn't looking for a fixer-upper.

My car is having the wheels refurbished as part of the sales deal, everything works, it drives like a new car, the interior is superb, and the engine and transmission are smoooooth.

I do have a couple of questions. Is it possible to update the satnav, and does anyone do a workshop manual?

🤓👍

Spacewagon52 · May 6, 2017

8 hours ago, Gorodish said:

Well done! We'll have to compare low mileage (well 78k in my case) notes. Enjoy...

Willing go compare my 78,000 with you both!

Malc · May 6, 2017

well done, I'm so pleased the aerial isn't " stuck up " ...... nice car then, last you forever I guess

Malc

ambermarine · May 6, 2017

2 hours ago, def_fid said:

Thanks for the good wishes. I had a LS 430 a few years ago, best car I ever owned, but I didn't dare keep it after the warranty expired. During the warranty period I had a new steering column, both front suspension complete assemblys, new reversing camera and several other suspension problems, all fixed with great service from Lexus Cheltenham. I swapped it in for a Toyota Verso, brand new, top of the range. What a mistake. I could have had a Ls 600h with 77000 miles for slightly less money. The Verso was a "White goods" car. It did nothing badly, and nothing particularly well. It was as boring as hell to drive. My main car now is a Dacia Duster 4x4, which surprisingly is much better in every way than the Verso. But the Dacia isn't a Lexus. And I miss the silence and ride quality, so getting a really good weekend car was important. I looked at a few "low mileage" ls400's. All had a few signs of shall we say, adjusted odometers, or neglected problems. They were all relatively inexpensive, but I wasn't looking for a fixer-upper.

My car is having the wheels refurbished as part of the sales deal, everything works, it drives like a new car, the interior is superb, and the engine and transmission are smoooooth.

I do have a couple of questions. Is it possible to update the satnav, and does anyone do a workshop manual?

🤓👍

Well done I hope it serves you well,the workshop manuals are available from a specialist publisher in the states and also from Lexus but they are expensive.

The Satnav is not updatable as it is a CD and they are DVD format after 2000.

371815207816 lexus repair manual.htm

cornershop · May 6, 2017

17 hours ago, def_fid said:

I just bought it. Very clean, everything works, wheels being refurbed. Very happy chappy!

Congrats, at circa 4K I would expect *everything* to work!

Spacewagon52 · May 6, 2017

Whatever you paid for it I do not think you will be disappointed.

Don't consider the age - consider the refinement. It will be worth every penny!

Photos please!

The-Acre · May 6, 2017

12 hours ago, def_fid said:

Thanks for the good wishes. I had a LS 430 a few years ago, best car I ever owned, but I didn't dare keep it after the warranty expired. During the warranty period I had a new steering column, both front suspension complete assemblys, new reversing camera and several other suspension problems, all fixed with great service from Lexus Cheltenham. I swapped it in for a Toyota Verso, brand new, top of the range. What a mistake. I could have had a Ls 600h with 77000 miles for slightly less money. The Verso was a "White goods" car. It did nothing badly, and nothing particularly well. It was as boring as hell to drive. My main car now is a Dacia Duster 4x4, which surprisingly is much better in every way than the Verso. But the Dacia isn't a Lexus. And I miss the silence and ride quality, so getting a really good weekend car was important. I looked at a few "low mileage" ls400's. All had a few signs of shall we say, adjusted odometers, or neglected problems. They were all relatively inexpensive, but I wasn't looking for a fixer-upper.

My car is having the wheels refurbished as part of the sales deal, everything works, it drives like a new car, the interior is superb, and the engine and transmission are smoooooth.

I do have a couple of questions. Is it possible to update the satnav, and does anyone do a workshop manual?

🤓👍

I understand peoples concerns with the LS430 should it go wrong in some way. The way I see it is this: I've had mine for 14 months with no issues at all, it cost me £2,400 and its superb. If something serious happened and it wasn't worth repairing I would just sell it for scrap and I wouldn't have lost a fortune. However, it could go on for some years without any real problems, in which case I can't loose. It's always a lottery with these cars.

ScousePaul · May 7, 2017

It's always fun on here to see an LS for sale and all the potential issues being pointed out and the price maybe too high then someone posts "I've bought it" and then it's all "well done mate!" :). I'd pay that for a great condition 400. like the buyer I've an LS430. Hope i never get any of the known issues that comes with it but for now drives and looks like new and I intend to keep it that way.

Happy motoring Alan! My first LS400 was a 98 and was rock solid.